Oh, deer! County animal collisions increase during fall

By Natalie Allison Janicello / Times-News

Published: Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 11:16 PM.

Now that fall has arrived and deer hunting and mating seasons are occurring, motorists should be vigilant for an increase in deer activity — and chance of collisions with the animals — according to N.C. Highway Patrol and the state Department of Transportation.

“Deer collisions will spike, beginning in October and through December,” said 1st Sgt. Darren Wright, of Highway Patrol.

Wright said Highway Patrol’s Alamance County office had reports of 262 animal collisions in 2012, which was down from 312 in 2011. So far this year, there have been132 reported animal collisions.

He advises drivers not to swerve to avoid hitting an animal that may cross the road.

“If an animal or anything crosses, always strike the animal,” he said. “Don’t make an evasive action to run off the road or left of center.”

According to NCDOT, Alamance County is ranked No. 22 in the state for deer crashes in the three-year window between 2010 and 2012. During that time period, there were 45 reported injuries and more than $2 million in damage from deer collisions in the county.

Crashes are most likely to occur between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., and again from 6 p.m. to midnight, NCDOT reports. During those times, more vehicles are on the road, deer movement increases and limited visibility makes it difficult for drivers to see the animals on or near the road.

Now that fall has arrived and deer hunting and mating seasons are occurring, motorists should be vigilant for an increase in deer activity — and chance of collisions with the animals — according to N.C. Highway Patrol and the state Department of Transportation.

“Deer collisions will spike, beginning in October and through December,” said 1st Sgt. Darren Wright, of Highway Patrol.

Wright said Highway Patrol’s Alamance County office had reports of 262 animal collisions in 2012, which was down from 312 in 2011. So far this year, there have been132 reported animal collisions.

He advises drivers not to swerve to avoid hitting an animal that may cross the road.

“If an animal or anything crosses, always strike the animal,” he said. “Don’t make an evasive action to run off the road or left of center.”

According to NCDOT, Alamance County is ranked No. 22 in the state for deer crashes in the three-year window between 2010 and 2012. During that time period, there were 45 reported injuries and more than $2 million in damage from deer collisions in the county.

Crashes are most likely to occur between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., and again from 6 p.m. to midnight, NCDOT reports. During those times, more vehicles are on the road, deer movement increases and limited visibility makes it difficult for drivers to see the animals on or near the road.

Based on statewide data collected from 2010 to 2012, more deer collisions happen during November than any other month, with 23 percent of the crashes occurring at that time. October came in second, at 14.5 percent.

For the 10th year in a row, the county with the most deer collisions is Wake County, with 991 reported animal-related crashes in 2012. Its rank is primarily because of the large number of drivers and roadway mileage in the county, coupled with “the abundance of wooded areas,” NCDOT reported. Guilford County came in second, with 668 crashes last year.

The most western North Carolina counties, where there are fewer roads and drivers, reported the lowest number of deer collisions.

What can drivers do? The North Carolina Department of Transportation offers the following suggestions for motorists to avoid being in a deer-vehicle crash:

Statistics indicate most deer-vehicle crashes occur near bridges or overpasses., and they also follow railroad tracks, streams and ditches;

Drive with high beams on when possible, and watch out for eyes reflecting in the headlights;

Remember that deer often travel in groups, so do not assume that the road is clear if one deer has already passed;

Do not swerve to avoid contact with deer. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle, flipping it over, veering it into oncoming traffic or overcorrecting and running off the road, causing a more serious crash;

Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away;

Increase the distance between your vehicle and other cars, especially at night. If the car ahead of you hits a deer, you may also become involved in the accident;

Always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in deer-vehicle crashes were not wearing their seat belt;

Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences or reflectors to deter deer as these devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle crashes; and

If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. The best procedure is to get your car off the road if possible, and call 911.